ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

To avoid a congested parking lot, we have staggered arrival and dismissal times. Please read about our procedures to make your mornings and afternoons as smooth as possible.

DROP OFF

When students are dropped off at school in the morning, they will be greeted at both traffic circles by a member of the Administration or Staff.

The school does not provide supervision in classrooms before 8:00 a.m. Before-school care is available through Owl’s Nest.

PreSchool
  • Arrive at 8:00 am.
  • Upon arrival, children should be walked to meet their teachers, who will be waiting to greet them on the sidewalk, outside of the PreSchool playground.
PreKindergarten
  • Arrive at 8:00 am.
  • Families should use the main entrance to the Clark House, which is accessed by the sidewalk once you cross over the bridge. This door will be unlocked at 8:00 a.m. to allow for easy entry into the foyer where the children will hang up their coats and backpacks before entering into their classrooms.
  • Children may arrive anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.
  • Those arriving after 8:15 a.m. will be considered tardy.
  • All PreKindergarten parents and authorized caregivers will need to park in a parking space–not in the car line circle–and walk to the classroom for drop off or pick up.
Kindergarten-8th Grade
  • Arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 8:10 a.m.
  • Report directly to their classrooms or first period classes. Attendance will be taken and the school day begins at 8:10 a.m.
  • Students arriving late must check in at the Farmhouse. 

PICK UP

PreS  
  • 3:00 dismissal
  • PreS and PreK parents should enter the parking lot off Blinnshed Road, park, get out of the car, and collect their child from the PreS playground gate and PreK gate. 
  • Wait for the family ahead of you to collect their child, then walk up when the area is clear. 
  • If your child is waiting to be picked up after 3:00 p.m., they will be sent to Owl's Nest for adult supervision. 
PreK
  • 12:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. dismissal
  • Dismissal will be from their classroom.
  • All PreKindergarten parents and authorized caregivers will need to park in a parking space–not in the car line circle–and walk to the classroom for drop off or pick up
Kindergarten-Grade 2 
  • 3:05 dismissal
  • Cars enter the pick up circle using the Opening Hill entrance and your children will be directed to your car by the teachers on duty as we have been doing this fall.
  • Parents of Kindergarten students who are not able to buckle themselves in and require parent support should do the same thing as PreS and PreK. Please communicate this to your classroom teacher. 
  • If your child is waiting to be picked up after 3:30 p.m., they will be sent to Owl's Nest for adult supervision. 
3rd-4th Grade
  • 3:05 dismissal
  • Teachers walk students from their classroom to the Orchard Circle (sometimes called the Middle School circle). 
  • Enter the parking lot at Blinnshed Road, drive straight back toward Orchard Circle, and queue up for loading students. 
  • Any students who have younger siblings in PreS - Grade 2 will continue to be dismissed from Clark House Circle so that all students in those families will be in one location. We will have the students in their usual spot with a co-curricular teacher until their family is picked up. 
  • If your child is waiting to be picked up after 3:30 p.m., they will be sent to Owl's Nest for adult supervision. 
5th-8th Grade
  • 3:15 dismissal
  • Please remain off campus until 3:15, unless picking up another child in PreS - Grade 4. 
  • Grades 5 and 6 are picked up in the Clark House circle in front parking lot.
  • Grades 7 and 8 are picked up in the Orchard Circle with younger siblings coming to the Orchard Circle to meet their older siblings. 
  • After you collect your younger child(ren), park in your assigned spot to wait for your older child(ren) to walk down the sidewalk to your car. 
  • Any driver who arrives before 3:15 will be required to park in a spot on campus and wait until just after 3:15 to get into the queue for the 3:20 pick up. 
  • If your child is waiting to be picked up after 3:30 p.m., they will be sent to Owl's Nest for adult supervision. 
Madison or East Bus 
  • These students will wait in the bus line with Mrs. Richar at the Clark House Circle for 3:20 pick up.
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341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, CT 06443
P. 203-421-3113  |  F. 203-421-4390  |  Health Office F. 860-469-2550
Founded in 1955, The Country School is a coeducational, independent school serving students in PreSchool-Grade 8. The Country School is committed to active, hands-on learning and a vigorous curriculum that engages the whole child.